Let’s switch the funeral rites theme to that of music, and we have four relatively brief sections (30-33) in the general introduction. Important ideas, nevertheless:

30. Music is integral to the funeral rites. It allows the community to express convictions and feelings that words alone may fail to convey. It has the power to console and uplift the mourners and to strengthen the unity of the assembly in faith and love.

No argument here, right?

The texts of the songs chosen for a particular celebration should express the paschal mystery of the Lord’s suffering, death, and triumph over death and should be related to the readings from Scripture.

Repertoire is key, and the post-conciliar shift/correction of music to a focus on the paschal mystery is the main reason why a good portion of the modern funeral repertoire speaks of resurrection.

My own sense is that the funeral repertoire leans strongly (in some parishes too much so) toward music based on biblical passages of comfort. That said, I’ve never quite discerned why the sequence Dies Irae is deemed fitting for the funeral rites. Late Ordinary Time and early Advent: yes. The first person perspective of this hymn has long struck me as a sort of anti-eulogy. So if you feel urged to discuss on this thread, let’s hear your own musings on music choices, including the Dies Irae or other problems in the Catholic repertoire. Don’t forget to post on what music you think fits what the OCF calls for in the rite.

about Todd Flowerday

A Roman Catholic lay person, married (since 1996), with one adopted child (since 2001). I serve in worship and spiritual life in a midwestern university parish.

about John Donaghy

John is a lay missionary since 2007 with a parish in western Honduras. Before that he served in campus ministry and social justice ministry in Iowa. His ministry blog is http://hermanojuancito.blogspot.com

He also blogs reflections on the lectionary and saints/heroes/events of the date at http://walktheway.wordpress.com

He'll be a long-term contributor here analyzing the Latin American bishops' document from their 2007 Aparecida Conference.